Typewriting machine



Oct. 22, 1940. H, A AVERY ET AL 2,218,736

' TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQ R Oct 22, 1940- H, A. AVERY ET AL 2,218,736

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEETOR 4 y Adar/$57- Patented Oct. 22 1940 UNITED STATES TYPEWRITING MACHINE Henry Allen Avery, Joseph P. Barkdoll, and Lionel F. Evans, Groton, N. Y., assignors to L. O. Smith & Corona Typewriters, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 11,

6Claims.

. The invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines, and is more particularly directed to improving typewriting machines of the small, light-weight, portable type.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide an improved ornamental mask for such machines, and to provide an improved assemblage of machine and mask wherein the structural frame of the machine with the working parts constituting the machine proper may be inserted in the mask and removed therefrom as a unit without the necessity of dismantling either the machine or mask. A further object of the invention is to provide an enclosing mask or ornamental outer frame for a typewriting machine, which mask consists of permanently united parts.

To the foregoing and other ends which will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the features of construction, arrangements of parts,

and combinations of elements hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line l,l of Fig. 4 showing the portable typewriting machine and its mask assembled and detachably connected;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the mask on the line 2--2 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the mask'on the line 3-3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line 4l of Fig. 1, working parts of the machine being omitted to more clearly illustrate the connection between the mask and the main structural frame of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the mask; and Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof one of the four rubber supporting feet for the machine and mask. I

Only so much of the portable typewriting machine as is necessary for an understanding of -the present invention is shown in the drawings and will be described. The machine proper is of the well known semi-front strike variety and has its working parts mounted, as is common in portable typewriting machines, on a sheet metal 5oi-main frame. Said main frame in .the machine shown comprises a pair of sheet metal side plates Ill rigidly connected by a sheet metal cross-plate ll. Themachine includes among its working parts a platen carriage I2 mounted on a car- 'riage bed l3 supported on the main frame, a platen M on the carriage, a finger wheel I5 for rotating the platen, a line space lever IS, the usual pair of ribbon spools (one of whichis shown at H in Fig. 1), and the usual system of type bars ISoperat ed by suitable type actions 1939, Serial No. 272,968

which include key levers l9 and four banks of keys 20. The working parts include also as a part of the keyboard the usual space bar 2! located in front of the forward or lowest bank or row of keys 20.

The improved mask consists of two pressed metal parts, namely, a base member 23-24 and an upper or cover member 25 welded together and each formed of a single piece of thin sheet metal. The base member of the mask consists of an oblong base plate 23 having rounded corners and formed entirely therearound with a narrow upstanding integral edge flange 24. Base plate 23 underlies the entire machine proper, closing and protecting the bottom of the machine and adapting said plate to form one wall of a carrying case for the machine, the remainder of. which carrying case may conveniently be a cover enclosing the top and four sides of the machine.

Theupper or cover member-25 of the mask is open at the bottom thereof, and is also open at the rear thereof except for narrowinwardly extending stiffening and ornamental flanges 25 hereinafter described. Said member 25 is formed with a low upstanding front wall 21, two upstanding side walls 28 and a top wall 29 joining said front and side walls. The junction corners of the front and side-walls are rounded, as shown. The side walls 28 terminate attheir rear ends a short distance forward of the platen carriage and are formed along'their rear edges with the before-mentioned flanges 26 whichter min-ate at their .lower ends immediately above the flange 24 of the base plate 23 of the mask. The walls 21' and 28 extend down about the outer face offfiange 24 to, or substantially to, the level of the bottom face of plate 23 and are welded to said flange 24 of plate 23.

The upper edges of the side walls'28 of mask member 25 extend approximately horizontally from the rear ends of said walls substantially up to the rear edge of the keyboard and thence slope forwardly and downwardly to merge with the upper edged the low front wall 21. The upper edge of the front wall extends approximately horizontally across the machine and is below the level of the space bar 2| of the keyboard. The top wall 29 of member 25 of the mask joins the upper edges of the side and front walls throughout the length of said edges of said side and front walls.

That portion of the top wall 29 located in rear of the. keyboard extends approximately horizontally over the machine proper approximately at the level of the highest bank of keys of the keyboard, and the remaining or front portion of said wall '29 slopes downward and forward to merge with the top edge of the front wall 21 and connect the sloping portions of the upper edges of side walls 28. Said downwardly and forwardly sloping forward portion of wall 29 is substantially entirely cut away or punched out to rovide a large clearance opening 30 up through which the keyboard of the machine slightly projects. Around opening 39 the wall 29 is formed with a pendent flange 3| for the purposes of stiffening the mask member 25 and improving its appearance, as well as avoiding rough or raw metal edges around the keyboard. Along its rear edge the wall 29 is formed with three connected recesses, namely, two recesses 32 located adjacent opposite sides of the machine and affording access to the ribbon spools I! for attachment and removal of the spools, and a large medial recess 33 affording clearance for swinging of the type bars is to the platen.

Means are provided for positioning the machine proper in the mask in predetermined relation to the mask, and for fixedly but detachably fastening the mask to the main structural frame of the machine. A pair of L-shaped sheet metal brackets st are welded to the upper face of base plate 23 of the mask adjacent the rear end of the latter and, as shown, close to flanges 26. The upstanding webs of brackets 33 are disposed in parallel vertical planes extending fore-and-aft of the machine and are spaced apart just far enough to receive therebetween the main frame of the machine. Screws 35 are passed through said bracket webs and threaded into the side plates if! of the main frame.

Welded to the top face of base plate 23 adjacent opposite sides of the latter and adjacent the front end of said plate are two L-shaped sheet metal brackets 36 the upstanding webs of which lie in a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine and are spaced apart a distance slightly less than the spacing of walls It! of the main frame. Side walls ID are formed with inwardly projecting lugs 31 adapted to abut the upstanding webs of brackets 35 to assist in positioning the machine in the mask, and fastening screws 38 are passed through said webs and threaded into said lugs 3'5. The machine frame and mask are thus securely but detachably connected in predetermined relation.

Four small and low cushion feet molded of soft live rubber are provided for supporting th assembled machine and mask upon a desk, table or the like. Each foot consists of a lower cylindrical stem portion 38 and an enlarged head portion 40. Base plate of the mask is provided adjacent each of its four corners with a circular aperture ii substantially corresponding in diameter with the diameter of the reduced stem portion 39 of rubber foot S9-ML The stem'portions of the rubber feet are passed downward through apertures ii and protrude below the base plate 23. Each side plate if! of the main frame is formed adjacent its rear end with an inwardly extending horizontal base flange 52, said flanges 4-2 being seated on the head portions of the two rear rubber feet. Each side plate H3 is formed also with an inwardly extending horizontal base flange 43 -which extends substantially to the front end of the main frame, said flanges 33 being seated on the head portions of the two front rubber feet. The heads of the rubber feet being thus confined between the main frame and the base plate of the mask, said frame and mask prevent disconnection of the feet while the frame and mask are secured together.

Upon removing the screws 35 and 38 the machine proper may be withdrawn rearwardly from within the mask. In the machine shown, wherein provision is made for reduction of height of the machine and mask to a minimum, it is necessary to depress the keys 20 of the two rearmost banks of keys of the keyboard in withdrawing the machine from, and in inserting the machine in, the mask in order that said rows or banks of keys may pass that part of flange 3| which extends across the machine behind the keyboard. It will be obvious, however, that if said part of said flange 3| were omitted or the rear portion of wall 29 should be disposed at a higher level, such depression of the rear banks of keys would not be necessary.

In inserting the machine in the mask from the rear of the mask, brackets 34 center and guide the machine as it is introduced into the mask, and brackets 36 arrest the inserting movement, said two pairs of brackets 34 and 36 serving as guiding and positioning means for the machine and, in combination with the screws 35 and 38, serving as means for fixedly but detachably connecting the machine and mask.

It will be observed that the mask encloses the top, bottom and sides of the machine substantially insofar as is practicable for operation of the, machine, fits closely about the machine, and yet consists of two permanently united parts and provides a unitary mask adapted for insertion and removal of the machine proper as a unit respectively into and from the mask by passing the machine forwardly into, and withdrawing it rearwardly from, the mask. It is, of course, necessary in inserting and withdrawing the machine to cant the machine slightly to clear that portion of flange 24 of base plate 23 of the mask which extends along the rear edge of said base plate.

What we claim is:

1. An envelope mask to removably receive a portable typewriter in which the working parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprising an enveloping shell of sheet metal formed in two parts permanently united by welding to form a unitary envelope with an open rear end and a front cross bar, one of said parts including a fiat bottom plate underlying the entire bottom of the machine and the other part forming the sides, top, front and front crossbar of the mask and united to the bottom plate along the sides and the front, the top being substantially parallel with the bottom plate and the front inclining downwardlly from the top to the front crossbar and having an opening in the said inclined part to permit the keys of the keyboard to project upwardly therethrough, the rear end being open to permit the completely assembled machine to be inserted keyboard end first through said open rear end into the envelope mask, the keys projecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is within the mask, guide means secured to the bottom plate and adapted to be engaged by the main frame of the machine to position the machine within the mask, and means for .cletachably securing the main frame within the mask in engagement with said guide means.

2. An envelope mask to removably receive a portable typewriter in which the working parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprising an enveloping shell of sheet metal formed as a unitary envelope with an open rear end and a front crossbar, and including a fiat bottom plate to fit under the bottom of the machine and sides, top, front and front crossbar, the sides and front crossbar being connected to the bottom plate said open rear end into the envelope mask, the

keys projecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is within the mask, guide means secured to the bottom plate near each side edge at the rear end thereof and adapted to be engaged by the sides of themain frame, a stop secured to said bottom plate near the forward edge thereof and adapted to be engaged bythe main frame to center the main frame within the mask, and means for detachably securing the main frame within the mask in engagement with said guides and stop.

3. An envelope mask to removably receive a portable typewriter in which the working parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprising an enveloping shell of sheet metal formed in two parts permanently united by welding to form a unitary envelope with an open rear end and a front crossbar, one of said parts including a flat bottom plate to fit under the bottom of the machine and, the other part forming the sides, top, front and front crossbar of the mask and united to the bottom plate along the sides and the front, the top being substantially parallel with the bottom plate and the front inclining downwardly from the top to the front cross bar and having an opening in the said inclined part to permit the keys of the keyboard to project upwardly therethrough, a guide on the bottom plate close to each side edge and near the rear end thereof to position the machine transversely of the mask, and a stop near the forward end of the bottom plate to position the machine longitudinally of the mask. the rear end being open to permit the completely assembled machine to be inserted keyboard end first through said open rear end into the envelope mask, the keys proiecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is Within the mask.

4. An envelope mask to removably receive a portable typewriter'in which the workin parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprising an envelopin shell of sheet metal formed in two parts permanently united by welding to form a unitary envelope with an open rear end and a front crossbar, one of said artsincluding a flat bottom plate to fit under the bottom of he machine end the other part forming the sides, top. front and front crossbar of the mask and united to the bottom plate along the sides and the front. the top being substantially parallel with the bottom plate and the front inclining downwardly from the top to the front crossbar and having an opening in the said inclined part to permit the keys of the keyboard to project upwardly therethrough, a guide on the bottom plate close to each side edge and near the rear end thereof to position the machine transversely of the mask, and a stop near the forward end of the bottom plate to position the machine longitudinally of the mask, the bottomplate being apertured adjacent said guides and stop, cushion blocks fitted in said apertures and on which the machine rests when adjusted to the said guides and stop, the rear end being open to permit the completely assembled machine to be inserted keyboard end first through said open rear end into the envelope mask, the keys projecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is within the mask.

5. An envelope mask to removably receiveal portable typewriter in which the working parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprisingvan enveloping shell of sheet metal formed in .two parts permanently united to form a rigid unitary envelope with an open rear end and a lower edges of the sides and front crossbar extending down around and overlapping the sides and front edge of the bottom plate and being welded to the bottom plate along said overlapping edges, the top being substantially parallel with the bottom plate and the front inclining downwardly from the top to the front crossbar and having an opening in the said inclined part to permit the keys of the keyboard to project upwardly therethrough, the rear end being open to permit the completely assembled machine to be inserted keyboard end first through said open rear end into the envelope mask, the keys projecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is within the mask.

6. An envelope mask to remcvably receive a portable typewriter in which the working parts are mounted in a main frame, said mask comprising an'enveloping shell of sheet metal formed in two parts permanently united to form a rigid unitary envelope with an open rear end and a front crossbar, one of said parts forming a rigid bottom for the mask and consisting of a fiat bottom plate underlying the entire bottom of the machine to form a rigid closure for the bottom of the mask and to serve as one wall of a carrying case, said bottom plate being formed with an. upstanding flange around its edges, and the other part forming the body of the mask and consisting of the sides, top. front and front crossbar of the mask body and fitting down over and outside of the flange of the bottom plate along the sides and across the front to enclose the engaged part of the bottom plate within the mask body with the lower edge of the mask body flush with the under surface of the bottom plate and united thereto'by welding to the said flange, the top being substantially parallel with the bottom plate, the front inclining downwardly from the top to the front crossbar and having an opening in the said inclined part to permit the keys of the keyboard to project upwardly therethrough, the rear end of the mask being open .to'permit the completely assembled machine to be inserted keyboard end first through said open rear end into the envelope mask, with the keys projecting upwardly through the opening in the inclined front portion when the machine is within the mask.

a HENRY ALLEN AVERY. 1 JOSEPH P. BARKDOLL.

' i LIONEL F. EVANS. 

